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Top 10 Best Burgers In Joburg

Sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a juicy burger… that ‘sometimes’ happens quite often to me, and I have a list of places that I frequent when I have to satisfy my burger craving. I feel that my love for burgers is probably shared by many of you so I thought I’d tell you about these drool-worthy spots.

Dukes

Dukes has a huge selection of burgers – making a decision about what to eat here is always a bit tricky. Do you go for their suggestions or do you make your own? Beef, lamb, chicken or veg? The options are endless, but you can rest easy knowing that whatever you decide on will be juicy and delicious.

Where: 14 Gleneagles Road, Greenside, Johannesburg.

Our pick: The Big Cheese, which is a hearty beef patty with tomato relish, melted cheddar, mozzarella and feta topped with homemade gherkins and a cucumber ribbon.

GBC

This trendy Illovo spot (there are two others in Joburg) encourages you to design your own burger. You pick everything from the bun and the patty to the sides and the sauces – it’s an Andiccios kind of vibe, you know? Besides for burgers, they also serve waffles and killer milkshakes, so be sure to leave room for dessert.

Our pick: A chicken burger with mozzarella, grilled mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and fresh avo, with a side of curly fries.

Wolfpack

First of all, the décor at the Wolfpack in Parkhurst is fabulous. The whole Little Red Riding Hood theme carries throughout the place and really is a great touch. Okay, onto their actual food… it’s great! All burgers come with a ‘fresh’ or ‘fried’ side, which is a cool way of offering accompaniments like Asian and salted apple and cucumber salads on the ‘fresh’ side, and sweet potato or polenta chips on the ‘fried’ side.

This is the most unpretentious burger restaurant you’ll ever step into, and that’s part of what makes it so great. BGR shares its premises with the Caltex Garage on Jan Smuts and is easily missed if you don’t know it’s there. Here, your options are few, which is nice because you don’t have to think too hard about what to order. Their meat is of the highest quality, they only use the freshest ingredients, and all their toppings are free. Your options are simple: cheeseburger, double cheese burger, hamburger, double hamburger, and a ‘cardio burger’ sans the roll – you get a lettuce cup instead.

Originally from Cape Town, Hudsons was a warmly welcomed addition to Parkhurst. It doubles as a great after work watering hole since they have no shortage of cocktail options! The burgers here are catered to everyone, from the carb conscious and non-meat eaters to those who just want a huge, meaty meal. Plus, you can swap any patty out for one of your choice – chicken, veg, ostrich, you name it.

Where: Corner 4th Avenue and 14th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg.

Our pick: The Health Nut (I like to pick the ostrich patty) which is topped with basil pesto, tomato relish, roast butternut, mushrooms and baby marrows. Go for a side of sweet potato wedges.

Love Food

Love Food is the cutest spot in Braamfontein. During the week, they serve up all kinds of things, from salads and sandwiches to cakes and more. But, on a Friday, they do something different – Fridays are for burgers, and it’s well worth the week-to-week wait! There are three patty options to choose from: pure lean beef, prego chicken breast or beetroot and legume. Then you add a salad and/or wedges to your plate and you’ve got yourself a hearty meal.

Where: 4 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Our pick: The veggie burger is so great! Order that with a sesame seed roll, a side salad and wedges. Toppings-wise, cheddar, honey mustard mayo and pickles make for a winning combo.

JB’s

JB’s is one of those great ‘something for everyone’ restaurants. So, while they’re not specifically a burger place, their burgers do shine through! They’ve got healthy options as well, so if you’re looking after your figure, you’ve got the choice to have your burger in a bowl of cauli rice instead of on a bun.

Our pick: The Old Fashioned – lettuce, tomato, fresh onion, pickles and mustard mayo. Have it the regular way, with a bun, and you’ll also get chips and coleslaw on the side.

Beefcakes

While they may be known more for their waiters than their food, don’t be fooled – Beefcakes certainly lives up to its name (in both senses of the word!). It’s a great spot for a lively night out, a bachelorette or, simply, some great food and tasty cocktails. Entertainment varies, depending on the night.

Where: Illovo Muse Centre, 198 Oxford Road, Illovo, Johannesburg.

Our pick: Babycakes – three small beef burgers on mini buns, served with cheese, gauc and a mushroom sauce. How about adding a glass of rosé to that order?

Free Food

Okay, so this is a vegan restaurant, but hear me out… their chickpea burger has got to be one of my all-time favourite meals. I know, I know, it’s a vegan place and this is an article about burgers but, until you try it out for yourself, I don’t want to hear any of it! Trust me, it’s delicious!

You’ll find Salvation Café in the 44 Stanley complex. Go here and don’t even look at the menu, just order one of their burgers – you won’t be sorry! They come in three varieties and are sure to satisfy your burger craving within the first bite.